You might also enjoy "Beautiful Life" then. I don't want to really spoil you on the plot, but the genre is similar, dramatic comedy with plenty of tears on the side. Enough twists, too, that not everything is predictable.

[quote="Harisenbon]Just to play devil's advocate:How do you know the english subs are bad if you don't know Japanese?

Unless they have things like "coz I wuv you I done kilt myself" in them. [/quote]

I know because; it has to be like that. I mean each language has its own nature, another language can never interpret the meaning right. Only close enough to the meaning but never right for example, Japanese subs in an English movie are pretty close but never right. I feel like repeating myself but i guess you got it right hahahha!!!

I'm just curious, does anyone know where Aya's grave is? Is it a place where people can go visit or is it private?

yatrauv wrote:I know because; it has to be like that. I mean each language has its own nature, another language can never interpret the meaning right. Only close enough to the meaning but never right

Ummm... that's not quite true. While there may be "untranslatable" concepts, that is why God gave us footnotes. No text is so culture bound that it can't be read in a translation. The original is, of course, always to be preferred, but perfectly usable translations can be made of anything.

this was also my first drama and i love it! (although erika sawajiri, or "aya", could be seen as the britney spears of japan hahaha)

another great drama is Taiyou no Uta, which also stars Sawajiri. I've only seen the movie version (which was INCREDIBLE), but the drama is supposed to be good as well.

definitely watch Taiyou no Uta the movie at least, though. its got an amazing soundtrack!

edit: im guessing Aya Kito's real grave is not publicized out of respect for her. my friend actually has the book of the diary in chinese haha (shes chinese) but i have a japanese friend with the japanese version.

also apparentally Haruto did not exist in real life; Aya's mom just wanted there to be a guy in her life. i think thats really sad!! (in a nonsarcastic way). i'm sure many dramatic events in the drama did not actually occur in real life; but then again i have no idea <3

You might want to read the book. I read it a few months ago, and it was quite moving.If you're not up to reading a whole book in Japanese yet, there's an English version available as well.http://www.yohan.co.jp/toeic/level4.html

AJBryant wrote:Ummm... that's not quite true. While there may be "untranslatable" concepts, that is why God gave us footnotes. No text is so culture bound that it can't be read in a translation. The original is, of course, always to be preferred, but perfectly usable translations can be made of anything.

Tony(who happens to be a translator)

...well...I guess we are just not gonna agree on this subject . I'm sure that many native laguages can find idioms/phrases that English can not translate into (only so-close) or vice versa. ...Anyway, individualsm is what makes this world so interesting, rigth?!?

becki_kanou wrote:You might want to read the book. I read it a few months ago, and it was quite moving.If you're not up to reading a whole book in Japanese yet, there's an English version available as well.http://www.yohan.co.jp/toeic/level4.html

-Becki

thanks for your site. It urges me to learn Japanese quicker for I could not understand a thing posted there (no sacarsm)

Erika Sawajiri is a Briney Spears in Japan?!? really, She does not look that....foolish !(sorry to Britney's fans)

AJBryant wrote:Ummm... that's not quite true. While there may be "untranslatable" concepts, that is why God gave us footnotes. No text is so culture bound that it can't be read in a translation. The original is, of course, always to be preferred, but perfectly usable translations can be made of anything.

Tony(who happens to be a translator)

...well...I guess we are just not gonna agree on this subject . I'm sure that many native laguages can find idioms/phrases that English can not translate into (only so-close) or vice versa. ...Anyway, individualsm is what makes this world so interesting, rigth?!?

Unfortunately when an individual doesn't have an open mind about things, especially when it comes to translation, transliteration and interpretation, that individual is bound to experience a very sudden, abrupt and rude awakening. However, having said that, good luck to you on your journey, mayhaps the walls aren't already closed.

AJBryant wrote:Ummm... that's not quite true. While there may be "untranslatable" concepts, that is why God gave us footnotes. No text is so culture bound that it can't be read in a translation. The original is, of course, always to be preferred, but perfectly usable translations can be made of anything.

Tony(who happens to be a translator)

...well...I guess we are just not gonna agree on this subject . I'm sure that many native laguages can find idioms/phrases that English can not translate into (only so-close) or vice versa. ...Anyway, individualsm is what makes this world so interesting, rigth?!?

Unfortunately when an individual doesn't have an open mind about things, especially when it comes to translation, transliteration and interpretation, that individual is bound to experience a very sudden, abrupt and rude awakening. However, having said that, good luck to you on your journey, mayhaps the walls aren't already closed.

...wow...your words are wise...One has to be open if they want to watch foreign movies, they are stuck with the Eng subs per se. If they cant be comfortable with that, then...well...that's tough. Learning the language is another option. I am one of those people who are not satisfied with just Eng subs, I want to learn the culture, and the language that goes with it. The act of translating is beautiful, it is the best option there is in term of getting to know other cultures. Too bad humans dont have all the time in the world to learn all languages that they want so translation is essential. I have nothing against translating, I do however prefer to BE it rather than CLOSE to it. Although I accept the fact that I can not do it with every culture in the world, so that translation kicks in as an excellent aid for me when it comes to other languages that I choose not to study. Speaking of being an open-minded... when an open-minded individual holds "translation is "IT", there is nothing that translation can not surpass" true. isnt that a bit contradicting ?!?